General utility loading and unloading apparatus for ships and the like



A R. SCHNEIDER GENERAL UTILITY LOADING AND 2,522,466 UNLOADING THE LIKE Sgpt. 12, 1950 APPARATUS FOR SHIPS Filed March 3, 1945- 4 Shgets-Sheet 1 Sept. 1-2, 1950 A. E. R. SCHNEIDER 2,522,466

- GENERAL UTILITY 1.0mm; AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR sans AND THE LIKE Filed March 3, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

-A. E. R. SCHNEIDER GENERAL UTILITY LOADING Sept. 12, 1950 2,522,466

AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 3, 1945 Sept. 12, 1950 A. E. R. SCHNEIDER 2,522,456

GENERAL UTILITY LOADING AND UNLOADING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS AND THE LIKE Filed March 3, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W V v 3 nnun A I ,3

46 V i j 26 27 3 I 0 I} l8 19/ l I F33- \MJLJ M 53 J2 JJ' f .A

3/ u g I 2 d--\ 3/ 4 --l8 C 9 m K 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 12, 1950 AND UN- LOADING APPARATUS FOR SHIPS AND THE LIKE;

Albert E. It. Schneider; Lakewood,hio, assignor to Schneider Transportation Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application Mat h 3", 1945', Serial no; 580,854

This invention relates to a general utility load-- ing and unloading apparatus for ships and the like. Mo're particularly, it comprises a crane or main supporting unit running on a trackway with which is associated a turn-table whereby the crane" maybe turned to either side of the trackway and theboom 'operated over an extended area'over which the cargo is to be transported in the course of loading or unloading a vessel or The invention includes the use of a novel type of turn-table whereby the crane may be turned to extend the boom on either side of the vessel as'the conditions of the port facilitates require and, in addition, the turn-table permits the crane to be turned to the proper angle to align the" boom with the central axis line of the Vessel, p n mitting the structure to be firmly secured in position during the voyage and to withstand heavy weather which may at times be encountered-j The invention includes a specialized typebi trolley unit and bucket controls whereby the operator in a cab mounted in an elevated position on the crane can control the various adjustments,

such as the angular position vertically" of the boom and the operative movements of the trolley and such load handling lized. v M

'The' invention also includes a specialized clam shell "bucket adapted to be controlled notbnly as to the 'openingand closing movements, but an; ranged to berotat'ed'to any desired adjustment:

within a full circle of 360 degrees. v t The invention has in view not only using clam shell buckets, but magnets when the carg con sists of scrap iron and the like, slings and hooks for handling cratesand packing'cases, automobiles and the like, as well as various other spe;

cialized types of handling apparatus.

"The invention includes the provisions of ine'ans" for loading and unloading cargoes from a freight-I erthrough the respective hatchways thereof and,v as has been indicated, can use a wide variety of I port facilities, even Where the'dock equipment at the port'of call would be found to be inadequate for such work.

A feature ofthe invention is embodied in the turn-table portion of the trackway whereinthe cooperation -of the wheels of the crane with the Claims.

terminal as may be utitrackwa simplifies the 'matter of turningthe crane to any desired side of the vessel. The a rf rangement includes the use of a circular turn? table of greater diameter than the spacebetween the rails, madepossible through the turning of the wheels supporting the'craneirom a parallel position to aposition perpendicular to the radius of each independent wheel or truck. This arf range'ment provides an inexpensive and iu11y"de"-' pendable loading and unloading apparatus and has the additional advantage of anchoringtl'ie crane securely by means of the angularp'osition' of the wheels just referred to, whereby theya're set perpendicular to the radius of each wheel with reference to the center of the turn-table and thus] prevent movement of the crane "transversely of longitudinally or in any other 'directionexcep't" radially around the turn-table, When the crane is'thus locked on the turn table'and the boom is positioned along the axis line of the vessel-and securely lashed to it in inactive position,'- the structure will be foundnot tointerfere with-thefstability of the vessel nor with its seawo'rthin'e'ss', even in heavy weather;

The principal object of the invention is'to pro=" videan apparatus particularly adapted for use on'ships and the like which'may be carriedas a permanent part of the ship's structure during its voyages and may be used after reaching portto load or unload the vessel irrespectiveo'f which side of the ship is brought along side oftlleidflpkl or other mooring facilities.

Another object of the invention is 'to provide" an apparatus of the characterabove" stated which completely across the ship and over-'thefshore ward area adjacent thereto, wherebycargo bf various types may be carried directly from'th'e' hold of the vessel to a point of unloading spaced an adequate degree from the margin of the pier or other structureagainst whichthe ship is sed- I v a Another object of the invention is'to provide an ap aratusjo'f the character set forthwherein crane may be rotated around circular trackways: associated with a longitudinal 'trackwayv on deck and turned to either side of the vessel or;

intolongitudinal alignment with the central axis;

of the vessel. H v

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide wherein an apparatus of the charact r described various details of the apparatus for controlling.

the angular position of sections of the trackway and the angular positions of the boom and the.

handling equipment to bring about a simplified and dependable procedure in loading and unloading vessels, particularly of the bulk cargo type,

Other and further objects of the invention will:

appear in the course of the following: description. I

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following. description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosedmeans constituting, however, but. several. of various. forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

- In said annexed drawings:

Figure l. isa side elevation of the forward portion of a freighter ofthe conventional Great Lakes type. of ship, showing a. crane andpoem on the. deckthereof in the position in which the structure is secured. during. a voyage, the raised position: of the boom being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2: is a side. elevation. showing acrane and boom involving the principles of' the invention. as

positioned. on a vessel shown diagrammatically in. cross. section, the boom being extended in operative position. over an ore pile on an ore docls;

Fig; 3. is a topplan. view taken along the line 3-3, shown. in Figure 1.;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the crane structure showing the cab and power unit housings, aswellas the supporting. trucksand driving motors therefor, as seen from the. landward;- side of the structure when. in operating position;

Fig.5 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 4 as seen from the opposite or remote side of. the structure shown in Figure 4.;

. Fig; 6 is an. enlarged detailed view illustrating a: movable portion of the turn-table track, together with the associated mechanism for turning such movable section and illustrating a sup-- porting truck: for. the crane shown diagrammatically without its motor drive;

Fig. 7- is. a diagrammatic view as seen along the line ll, shown in Figure: 1,, looking in the direction. of the arrows and illustrating the mechanism for turning the four movable sectinns of the trackway through the action of a single motor and associated mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a front. elevation of an automatically rotatable grab bucket shown in; closed position with the controlling cables and driving motor; and

Fig. 9v is a view of the: apparatus. shown in Figure 8 with the bucket halves in open position.

.The invention as embodied: in a ship structure t is shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1 they crane. 2 is positioned. on. the. turn-table section.

3 01 the trackway 4 and the boom 5 is firmly secured, by fastening. elements 6 to the deck 1, in alignment with the central longitudinal axis thereof. In Figure 2, the crane 2 is shown over an open hatchway & with the trolley 9 at the free end of" the boom and the grab bucket ll 4 over an ore pile on a dock. The hatchways may be covered by single hatch covers l0 (see Figs. 1 and 3), which may be lifted and replaced by the use of the crane, or if desired, sectional hatch covers may be used instead.

The boom 5 is of a length to extend completely across the: vessel; and preferably extends. for the greatest possible extent outwardly over the land cargo area of which the length of the ship will permit.

The crane 2 is a framed structure clearly illustrated' in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 and has a tall vertical front structure l2 having a somewhat rectangular lower portion with vertical uprights t1 and horizontal cross-members M with suitable struts l5; l5, and. diagonal bracing bars ll. This portion of the frame is substantially of inverted U-shape' and has heavy bottom frame-members I8 and heavy bolsters is to which the trucks presently to be described are swivelly connected. The upper portion. of. the front frame has inclined. supporting, members 2|, 22, with suitable bracing members 23, and these. inclined. members meet at the. top pulley housing 24. The pulley housing carries-thenecessary number of sheavewheels 25 to provide for the operating cables hereinafter referred to. The crane thus has a large. open areaat'the front and the grab bucket or other load: handling unit can ride freelythrough this space intotheproper position above an. open hatehway-for either loading or unloading of the. cargo. 1

Immediately above the. bottom frame. members- I&,, housings 26, 2.1, for the. cable drums andoperative mechanism are provided, and, preferably, on the rearmost leg of the front portion. of the frame an overhanging operators cab 28 is secured.

The rearward portion 29 of the fram'e has vertical uprights 3|, 32;. horizontal cross-members 33; struts 34 and diagonal bracing bars 35, but also has an additional cross-member 36, associated with rigid pivot frame-members 31, 38,. having cross-bracing members 39. The boom 5 is supported. on the pivot bar H. engaged with the upper ends of. the pivot-frame-members 31, 38,. intermediate the upper portions ofthe. housings 26,.- 21, and theboom frame-members 4-2, 43,.project outwardly and upwardly above said pivot support.

The rearward. frame has upper inclined supporting members, 44; 45,. with: suitable bracing members- 46, which meet at the top pulley housing 24, heretofore described.

The lowerportionsof. the front and rear frame structures are. connected with" each other by horizontal members 41, 48, with suitable bracing 49, andan intermediate vertical support 5t may extend to the upper frame structure and have a diagonal brace 52 associatedtherewith. A heavy counterweight 53- serves. to insure abundant. stability for the structure.

The crane 2 is supported. on the trackway' 4' by means of individual two-wheel trucks so each having a drivingmotor 55 with suitable reversing mechanism, which are connected by swivel mountings 55 with the respective corners. of the bolsters. l9. Angularly positioned guard wheels 5& maybe carried by the trucks and contact the underside of the rail. bond- The motors are preferably controlled in unison from the cab 28, and the trucks 54 are so spaced" as-to ride simultaneously on each of the four movable. track sections of the turn-table portion 3 of the track 'Ihese track sectionsv are short 51 and'may be straight or'slightly curved, and the wheels of: thetrucks are' sharplybeveled to ridefreely thereover. These movable sections 51, 5'8; 59, 60, of the turn-table portion of the trackway are shown more particularly in Figures 3, 6' and 7, and are turned in unison by means of a revers-" ing motor 6 l, preferably mounted below deck but with control connections preferably extending to the'operators cab 28; The diagonally opposite movable sections 51, 58, may be moved counterclockwise as seen in Figure 7, and the companion diagonal movable sections moved clockwise, by means of the motor 6! and the driving chain 62, actuated by the pinion 63, and engaged overthe gears 64, 65, directly connected with the movable track'sections'59, Bil, and engagedover'reversing' gears 66, G1; driving the gears 68, 69, directly connected with the movable sections 51, 58.

" In order to counteract undue friction due to the weights involvedinthe crane 2 and boom 5,

each movable track section'is supported on a 'pis-' ton: base H within a'cyli'nder 12,- providing a fluid-tight chamber with-pressure oil line connec-" tions 13, 14, and with a packing gland mounting" 15; for its splined drivingpivot-member I6 having a spring cushion connection 11 at' its top and i a gear on its outer end 18. Theoil' pressure is preferably controlled from;the cab 28, and when released will frictionally -hold the movable sec-,- tions in fixed position; Thus, the operator can drive the crane on to the respective movable track sections and by energizing the reversingtruck; motors 55 in the proper direction the crane may be rotated on the turn-table section of the trackway or driven forwarder back on the straight section of the trackway. r I f The boom lashingli'may be of the type to be unlatched from the cabby means of a solenoid 82, and the operator can thus release the boom, lift it by means of the cable 83, drive the trolley 9, by means of its cable 86, and operate the grab bucket II by means of. its cables 95, 86. He can also turn the grab bucket by means of the mechanism shown in Figures 8 and 9, providing a swivelling bucket SUPD I't. j

The grab bucket ll hast pivot member 81 for thebucket halves 8B, 19, supported by bracket links 9! on an annular geared ring 92 'rotatably engaged on the stationary head-frame" 93 sup-' ported on the'pulley' 94 and'cable85'. A swivelling pulley 95 is supported on the non+rotatable head-frame 93, and carries :the bucket opening and closing cable 86 which engages over ;'.the

pulley94= associated with! the-pivot memberrfll ofthe bucket. The rotation of the annular ring 92 with the bucket supporting and operating members is brought about by means of a re'versi ble'motor 96 having a conducting cable :91 car-= ried on a bracket arm9B on the non-rotatable frame 93. A pinion 99 onthe-motor shaften gages the gear teeth of the annular gear. ring 92 and rotates the ring andbucket throughany desired arc of ;movement in the selected direction, and locks the ringin adjusted position when the motor is stopped. p i t v The, control switch board and transmission] controlmeans for cables'and cable drums may" follow conventional practice, 7 I t The description of thefopieration of the a'ppag ratus hasalready been indicated in connection with .the several partsfdescribed. The steps, when taken in succession, for either the loading or unloading operation are substantially as follows:

trackway. The crane portion of the apparatus isthus firmly held against movement in any di-f individual movable track sections.

6,. When the' ship l ori'other vehicle on which the apparatus is supported, reaches the point for the transfer of cargo, the operator in the cab 28 may operate the proper switch to electrically unlock' the boom from its central position along the lon-' gitudinal line of the deck or other support by unlocking the latching device 6. Immediately thereafter the cable '83' for raising the boom is operated by means of its proper control in the cab and when suitable height is attained the boom is held in such position preliminary to its being turned with its free end over the'othercargo area. a series of operations. It is assumed that the apparatus, when latched to the deck of a vessel, has its trucks 54 on the circular trackway 3, each set at an angle on the fixed sections of the rection.

With'the wheels of the trucks on the circular trackway the operator in the cab energizes the respective truck driving motors 55 to turn the crane and its associated boom in the selected direction, and when such point has been reachedthe respective trucks will be positioned over their The operator of the cab then conditions the movable'track sections for rotation by releasing pressure oil into the'cylinder l2 beneath the piston base ll supporting each individual movable track section and rendering each freely movable when actu'-- ated by nism.

The chain 52 is driven by means of the motor 6| energized in the proper direction by the opera-' torin the cab closing the selected switch. This operation will turn the movable track sectionsinto alignment withthe fixed track sections 8! of the trackway 4, whereupon the fluid pressure the chain (52 and its associated mechais released, by operating a suitable control, from the cylinder 12 and the movable track sections are locked into aligned position with the straight trackway. Thereupon the operator in the cab .will turn the proper switch to energizethe driv ing motors 55 of the trucks 54 and will move the" crane with its extended boom into any predeter= minedposition over the cargo space at either end of theboom, as the loading or unloading opera' tion requires. The motors on the trucks will prevent-shifting of the'crane along the trackwayalso control the load handling terminal supported on :the trolley and, when a grab bucket of the 7 as ironsore or-thelikem character illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is used,- may raise.- andlower the grab bucket bymeans of the cable 85 andcontrolthe opening and closingmovements of thegrab bucket by meansof the-cabletfi, The operatorin the cab may also energize the motor 96 throughits flexible coni ducting cable, andby-meansof the. action of the pinion 99 rotate the grab bucket through any.desired degree of angularity in anydirection as,

might facilitate the proper handling of the car-1: I

go; especially if the same'isbulkmaterialpsuch;

The turning of the boom involves unloading apparatus of: various different forms;

maybe used and, if desired, an. underslung' trolley or other type of carriage can be substituted forthe: one illustrated.

Other modes of applying the principle: of my' invention may be employed-v instead, of those explained, change: being madev as regards the mechanism; herein disclosed, provided the means stated by" any of the following; claims or the. equivalent of such stated meansbe employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly'cla'im. as my invention:

1., An apparatus of the character described having in combination a straight traclrway and a circular trackwa-y superimposed upon a sup-- porting structure, the circular trackwa-ybeing of greater diameter than the transverse width of the: straight trackway', a. crane, and four swivel.- lin supporting trucks for said crane adapted-v to operate selectively over said straight traclrway and said circular trachway.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a straight trackway and a circular trackway superimposed upona supporting, structure, the circular trackway being of greater diameter than the: transverse widthof the straight trackway, a crane, four swivel-ling supporting trucks for said crane adapted to operate selectively over said straight trackway andsaid circular trackway, and means for driving said, trucks.

.3. An apparatus or the character described having in combination a straight trackway and aci-rcular trackway superimposed upon a, supporting structure, swivelling track sections adapted to be aligned selectively with the straight and circular' trackways, the circular trackwa-y being of greater diameter than the transverse width of the straight trackway, a crane, and four swivel-ling supportingtruclss for said crane adapted to operate selectively over said straight trackway' and said circular trackway.

- 4. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a straight traclrway and a circular" trackway superimposed upon a supporting structure, swivelling track sections adapted tohe aligned selectively with the straight and air-- cular tracliways, means for rotating said: swivelling track sections, the circular trackway being of greater diameter than the transverse Width of the straight trackway, a crane, and four swivelling supporting trucks. for said crane adapted to operate selectively over said straight trackway and said circular trackway.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a cargo vessel a straight trackway and a circular trackway superimposed upon the deck of said vessel, swivelling track sections adapted to be aligned selectively with the straight and circular trackways, means for rotating said swivelling track sections, the circular trackway being of greater diameter than the transverse width of the straight traclrway, a crane, and four swivelling supporting trucks for said crane adapted to operate selectively over said straight trackway and said circular trackway.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in'combinatlon a vessel for carrying bulk freight, a plurality of transverse hatchways extending in series over the major portion ofthe' deck space of said vessel, a crane supporting rail on each side of the vessel outside'ofthe ends:

of said hatchways, a, circular turn-table trackway gift I with movable track: sections adapted: to become part of said. straight; trackwayand. said turne table trackway, selectively; motorized, trucks ior engaging said crane on one of said trackways,

and means. for turning said; movable track seetiOIlSL.

'7; An apparatusof the character describedhaw. ing in combination a vessel for carrying; bulls freight, a plurality of transverse hatchways ex:' tending in series over the, major portion. of the declr'spaceof'said: vessel, a crane supporting rails on each side of the vessel outsideof' the ends: of said hatchways', a, circular turn-table trackway overlaid at one end of saidstraight 'trackway with movable track: sections adapted to become part of said straight .trackway and: said turntable trackway, selectively; motorized trucks, for engaging said; crane on. one of said traclcwaya: means providing a pressure oil support for each of said; movable track: sections, and means: for: turningrsaid movable track sections. I

8. A trackway for a movable crane having, a pair ofv straight rails over which four wheel units or the crane are adapted to travel, a circular track, providing a turn-table, in combination with said straight trackway with swivelling track sec-' ti'ons at the intersecting points of" said traclsways adapted selectively to formpart of the straight trackway and the circular traclrway, and unitary means for operating said swivelling track sections whereby said crane may be operated over said straight trackway or rotated on said circular trackway.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a supporting structure, of a straight trackway on. said structure, a circular trackway disposed in overlaid relation to said straight trackway and having a diametergreater than the transverse Width of said straight trackway and consisting of alternately related fixed and. swiv elling, track sections, each swivelling section beingadapted to; be. alined with the opposed ends of, adjacent fi-xed track sections. of said. circular trackway or with one of the tracks of, said straightv trackway,-a crane, swivel. mounted trucks. arranged to traverse said trackways, for supporting said crane, and means for driving the wheels; of certain of said trucks.

1o. In apparatus of the class described, the. combination with a supporting structure, or a straight trackway on said structure, consistingv of parallel main tracks and parallel track sections each alined with one: of said tracks, a turntable mounted on said structure, consisting of curvilinear'traclc sections disposed outwardly of said" parallel track sections and separate curvilinear track sections disposed intermediate said first mentioned curvilinear track sections, said firstmentioned curvilinear track sections and said separate curvilinear sections having the same overlaid at one end of said. straight trackway T5 radius of an imaginarycircle the diameter of. which is greater than the width of said straight trackway, pairs of swivel'ling track sections on said structure between said first mentioned curvilinear traok sections and said separate curvilinear track sections, each swivelling track section be ing. disposed on saidimaginary circle in diametrical relation to another swivelling track section. and swingable aboutv an axis alined with one of said tracks for connecting said track and. the. adjacentparallelv track, section, a crane, swivel mounted trucks for supporting said crane arranged to traverse said trackway and turntable, and power mechanism for driving the wheels for certain of said trucks.

ALBERT E. R. SCHNEIDER. 7

REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date Eppelsheimer Aug, 24, 1875 Rohrbach Mar. 27, 1894 10 Name Date Coflin May 23, 1899 Cofiin Oct. 15, 1901 Campbell Dec. 30, 1902 Moss Apr. 2, 1907 Suck Aug. 20, 1907' I Haskins Dec. 17, 1907 Jackson Dec. 17, 1912 Hertz Apr. 1, 1913 Hulett et a1. Nov. 23,1915

Mitchell Mar. 16,1926 

